MAHA SHIVARATRI (or Shivaratri) is one of the largest and most significant among the sacred festival nights of Nepal. Shivaratri literally means “Night of the Shiva”. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Māgha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
Why Maha Shivaratri is Celebrated
There are various myths behind the marking of Maha Shivaratri among which, the birthday of Lord Shiva and the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati (Shakti) are regarded as the major reasons of celebration. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performed the “Tandav Nritya” (the cosmic dance).
The celebration includes maintaining a “jaagaran“, an all-night vigil and prayers, because Hindus mark this night as “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in one’s life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk to Shiva are made, some perform all-day fasting with vedic or tantric worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative Yoga.
In Shiva temples all over Nepal, “Om Namah Shivaya“, the sacred mantra of Shiva, is chanted throughout the day. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in South Asian Countries like Nepal, India and Pakistan and also in Hindu Communities all over the world.
Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple
Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus. Pashupatinath is considered the Guardian and Protector of the Kathmandu Valley and Nepal.
During this day, Pashupatinath Temple witnesses a large surge of Sadhus (holy sage) and devotees on the premises to offer their worship. Also, the devotees all over the country celebrate the great festival of Mahashivaratri by worshipping Lord Shiva at various rivers, ponds and temples.
Apart from the religious faith, one of the major attractions of Shivaratri festival is the visiting sadhus (sages) from across the country and from neighboring Indian states. Devotees chant “Om Namah Shivay” and “Mahamritunjaya” all night praying for light over darkness.
The religious belief is that if one offers milk, Dhaturo (a kind of intoxicating plant) and ‘Belpatra’ to Lord Shiva and observes night-long fasting, he/she will receive divine blessings.
Maha Shivaratri is also celebrated as Nepali Army Day amid a spectacular ceremony held at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel. Artists from various classical music and dance forms perform through the night. On Maha Shivaratri, married women pray for the well being of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, considered as the ideal husband. Shiva is also worshipped as the Adi Guru (first teacher) from whom the divine wisdom originates.